Schools shut, flights cancelled: Rajasthan border districts on high alert, security tightened across state

Time of India

08-05-2025

Representative Image
Farmers near int'l border advised to remain alert
JAIPUR/JODHPUR/JAISALMER: Rajasthan's border districts were placed under high alert following India's missile strikes on terror launchpads in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir early Wednesday morning.As a precaution, schools in these areas have been closed until further notice and civilian flights at Jodhpur, Kishangarh and Jaisalmer airports and Bikaner airstrip suspended until 5.30am on May 10.At Jaipur airport, four flights were cancelled Wednesday morning due to airspace restrictions.Jodhpur airport director Manoj Uniyal said all passengers scheduled to travel Wednesday were informed about the suspension of inbound and outbound flights. "We had set up a help desk to assist passengers who were unaware of the cancellations and arrived at the airport," he said.While Jodhpur airport, which operates nine flights daily, has been shut for the public, Jaipur airport authorities urged passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport.Air defence systems at Jaisalmer air base were fully activated to intercept missiles and detect jet movements from across the border. Residents of Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jodhpur reported hearing thunderous sounds of IAF jets conducting sorties, describing the experience as that of a war zone. Security agencies said these operations were designed to protect residents and maintain stability in the region.All schools in border districts were shut following escalating tensions between the two countries. "District magistrates of border areas have been authorised to decide on school closures and exam postponements based on local conditions," said Ashish Modi, director of secondary education.Farmers near the international border, in close proximity to Bahawalpur, one of the nine sites in Pakistan attacked by India, were advised to stay away from the international border and Pakistani check posts. Security measures were intensified at railway stations, bus terminals, army installations and govt buildings. The Railway Protection Force (RPF) stepped up surveillance on passenger trains originating from these districts.Rajasthan shares a 1,048km border with Pakistan, including key frontier districts like Barmer, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Sriganganagar, making it a critical defence zone in case of escalation. All four border districts and Jodhpur will experience a blackout as part of emergency preparedness from 12am midnight to 4am on Thursday.Across the state, mock drills were held as part of a strategic security exercise. Critical infrastructure such as railway stations, civil hospitals, police stations, power grids, and ammunition depots were part of the simulation aimed at enhancing preparedness for potential threats.There were coordinated blackouts from 7.30pm to 10pm, scheduled over staggered time slots across different regions to replicate emergency scenarios. The drills witnessed seamless coordination among the police, home guards, civil defence, and the Army.Home guards DG Malini Agarwal said, 'These mock drills are not just routine procedures, they are crucial simulations that help us identify gaps and strengthen our collective response to emergencies. Over 13,000 home guards were involved in these exercises to safeguard the public.'In Hanumangarh, the railway station was partially evacuated in collaboration with various agencies, while a mock emergency drill was held at Jawaharlal Nehru Hospital in Ajmer.Dausa focused its operations on a major power station, and the BSNL office on MI Road in Jaipur was the site for simulating communication disruptions. During the blackout exercise, traffic came to a standstill as police instructed commuters to turn off their vehicle lights. Air raid sirens blared intermittently, and emergency vehicles, including police cars and ambulances, navigated through darkened streets to mimic crisis response. Sonakshi Sachdeva, a commuter stuck in the traffic during the blackout in Ajmer, remarked, 'This made me understand what war might feel like.'In Kota, the mock drill began at 4pm with active participation of fire brigade, civil defence, and police teams. Both Kota and Rawatbhata have been classified as Category A — high-sensitivity zones — by the Centre. In Barmer, local markets were temporarily closed during the drill, with police urging the public to cooperate through loudspeaker announcements.